Hi all. I've been a chicken keeper for about 10 months. I have a small flock of chooks: 2 Hylines (10 months old) 1 Australorpe (5 months old) 1 Buff Sussex (5 weeks old) 1 Plymouth Rock (5 weeks old). Just this morning, we found our Light Sussex (unknown age, but around 15weeks old) dead in the coop. We're pretty sure she's been ill since we got her, but even after a course of antibiotics she never did recover. We live in the suburbs of Melbourne, where we are only allowed 5 hens (no Roos). We've been through a lot in the past 10 months. One chick died of Marek's disease, one chick ended up being a roo and so she had to go back to the farm, one chicken (bought as a pullet) died the day after we brought her home (also sick). We've learned which farms to buy healthy chooks from now. The chooks we've raised from one to five days old are still alive, healthy and happy. We've enforced 'chicken jail' on one of our Hylines who was bullying our Australorpe and Light Sussex and things have quietened down in the run. I look forward to asking questions and sharing photos and our (limited) experience with raising chickens. Cheers Phoenix10
Howdy neighbour Welcome! Wow, you sure have had your fair share of woes .... I wish you all the best for the future. When you get a chance, pop in to the Aussie Thread and say G’Day, you will be welcome: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/598568/australia-six-states-and-that-funny-little-island I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
Survivors of Marek's disease will be carriers for life. You may want to check out the "Marek's articles" you can find by, putting that in the search box. Welcome to Backyard chickens. Some folks believe you can produce Marek's resistance by breeding the survivors. They may be articles available on that as well.
Hello and welcome to BYC. Unfortunately, buying chickens can be a bit of a hit and miss affair. At least now you know which are reputable sources for the future. Best wishes CT
Hello, Phoenix10, and ! Pleased you joined our community! I hope all works out well for you and your flock!
